Thursday is the 46th anniversary of the Soviet-led invasion of
Czechoslovakia that crushed the Prague Spring reform movement, ushering in
two decades of so-called normalisation. That traumatic event was
commemorated at a ceremony at Czech Radio, scene of the most brutal
repression in August 1968 – and comparisons were drawn with Russia’s
actions today.

Photo: Jiří Němec
Senior officials and other dignitaries laid wreathes at the entrance of
Czech Radio in central Prague in a commemorative event on Thursday
morning.
Czechoslovak Radio was a rallying point for the nation when the Soviet
tanks rolled in, remaining one of the few sources of free information in
the early hours of the occupation. A number of people were killed in
fighting at and around the Radio building, including station staff.

Among the speakers at Thursday’s memorial ceremony was Jan Hamáček,
chairman of the Chamber of Deputies. He was yet to be born on August 21
1968, so what does that date evoke for him?

Jan Hamáček, photo: Jiří Němec“The then leadership of Czechoslovakia had almost absolute support
from
the population and all their hopes were crushed by Soviet and other Warsaw
Pact armies’ tanks and boots. The first thing that comes to my mind is
this tragic shock that came to all who expected a third way, Socialism
with
a human face, something that they hoped for – and all these hopes were
crushed.”

Culture Minister Daniel Herman was five in 1968 and has clear memories of
the start of the occupation.

“I was in the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia and I
can
remember the Russian tanks and the whole atmosphere, because it was
something like a tragedy. I think that after the Second World War it was
the most complicated and hard situation in our modern history.”

In his address, Mr. Herman drew attention to the activities of Russia
today– something he says he has a clearer perspective on thanks to his
own childhood experience of invasion.

August 1968 at Czechoslovak Radio, photo: archive of Pavel Macháček“I think that there are a lot of parallels. It’s a real
occupation of
Ukraine, of the territory of Ukraine in Crimea. I think the situation even
in Eastern Ukraine is very complicated and there is no question mark over
the influence of Russia. I think it’s something that’s really…
targeting the whole of Europe or the whole free world. It’s a very
important moment for all of us. We have to be very careful, because
something like that is absolutely unacceptable for democracy.”

Among those to place a wreath in front of Czech Radio was former gymnast
Věra Čáslavská, now 72. She protested the invasion at the 1968
Olympics
in Mexico City by lowering her eyes when the Soviet national anthem was
played and was subsequently banned from travelling or attending sports
events. Her name raised the biggest cheer on Thursday morning.